Long Island Dems wary of Hochul's housing, payroll tax proposals

Hochul wants 3% growth in housing stock every three years in downstate areas. For the Island, the target would mean 38,128 new housing units between 2023 and 2025. Her administration says, for comparison, Nassau and Suffolk counties increased housing by just 0.56% from 2018 to 2019.

The governor especially wants to encourage housing growth near train corridors. She has said her initiatives mirror what other states have done to boost affordable housing and that New York is behind the curve.

But the provision that is drawing the most opposition is one that would allow a state panel to override local zoning decisions if the housing goals aren’t being met.

“I don’t believe local zoning should be removed from local control,” said state Sen. Monica Martinez (D-Brentwood), one of two Island Democrats left in the Senate following last November’s elections. “We’re not against building — we know there is an affordable housing crisis.”